Turkish Akıncı drone receives domestic AESA radar: a new era in intelligence and combat capabilities

 

Turkish Akıncı drone

The Turkish defense industry continues to show rapid development, and the recent flight tests of the Akıncı drone with integrated domestic AESA radar have become an important milestone in this process. The radar developed by Aselsan is a multifunctional system designed for both surveillance and fire control. Its successful adaptation for use on Turkish F-16 military aircraft and the Akıncı drone opens up new horizons in the field of reconnaissance and strike operations.

The AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar, created by Aselsan, is one of the most advanced technological solutions in modern aviation. Unlike traditional mechanical radars, AESA uses electronic scanning for beamforming, which provides greater flexibility, accuracy, and resistance to interference. This type of radar allows you to perform many tasks simultaneously, including detecting aerial targets, tracking ground objects, and controlling fire.

The integration of this radar into the Akıncı drone significantly expands its capabilities. Now this unit can not only conduct reconnaissance operations at a considerable distance, but also effectively coordinate the actions of other units, providing accurate data on the location of targets. With its high detection range and ability to operate in difficult conditions, AESA makes Akıncı an even more versatile means of warfare.

In addition to drones, the AESA radar will become part of the arsenal of Turkish F-16 fighter jets. This decision is of strategic importance, as it will significantly increase the combat capabilities of these vehicles. Modern AESA radars provide pilots with an advantage in the air due to an increased target detection range, better protection from anti-radar devices and the ability to simultaneously track multiple objects.

This is especially important for Turkey, which is actively modernizing its fleet in the face of a changing geopolitical situation. Installing AESA radars on the F-16 will make these aircraft even more competitive compared to similar platforms in other countries.

The successful completion of the AESA radar tests on the Akıncı drone symbolizes the achievement of a new level of autonomy for the Turkish defense industry. The development and production of its own equipment allows Ankara to minimize dependence on foreign suppliers, which is especially important in the current conditions of international sanctions and restrictions.

Aselsan, one of the key players in the Turkish defense sector, has already established itself as a reliable developer of high-tech systems. Its products are successfully used both in Turkey and abroad, which confirms the high quality and effectiveness of the solutions. The integration of the AESA radar into various types of equipment — from drones to fighter jets — demonstrates the scale of the potential of the company and the entire Turkish defense industry.